Environmental Science

Coordinator

Contact

mamcca@unimelb.edu.au

Overview:

Environmental Science is offered as a major field of study in the Master of Environment degree and is run in conjuction with the Melbourne Graduate School of Science.

The Environmental Science major will attract students seeking an interdisciplinary scientific perspective, for work largely in scientific and environmental careers. Graduates should be well placed to offer leadership through a solid understanding of environmental modelling, monitoring and assessment techniques, and application of technology.

This major will provide an appreciation for the role of modelling in environmental science; an overview of the range of environmental models in use; the skills required to model environmental systems and processes; an introduction to the construction and mathematical analysis of environmental models; and a high level of ability to analyse and evaluate environmental issues.

Objectives:

Students who complete the Master of Environment will have:• An advanced understanding of environmental issues• Advanced skills and techniques applicable to changing and managing the environment• An ability to evaluate and synthesise research and professional literature in the chosen stream or focus of study• An advanced understanding of the international context and sensitivities of environmental assessment

The graduate attributes for the Master of Environment are:• Expertise in multidisciplinary understanding, analysis and research with an environmental focus• Collaborative approaches to environmental problem solving• Capacity to engage in critical social and sustainability questions

Upon completion of the Environmental Science major, students will be able to:• Describe major current global environmental challenges facing scientists and policy-makers;• Discuss the relevance of a range of scientific disciplines to environmental management including meteorology, ecology, toxicology, hydrology, geology and epidemiology;• Analyse the role of various evidentiary approaches to supporting science-based arguments including empirical observation and analysis, modelling and use of expert opinion; and• Judge the merit of scientific arguments made in documents related to environmental policy.

Structure & Available Subjects:

Students will be required to complete two core subjects, plus choose three subjects from the compulsory subject list and undertake electives to make up the balance of the award. The selection of electives is made in consultation with the Environmental Science major coordinator.

In order to qualify for the 200 point (2 year) Master of Environment (Environmental Science) degree, applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree in an appropriate discipline with at least H3 (65%) in the major or equivalent. As part of their degree studies, applicants must have completed at least one quarter of a full-time year of study in one of the following areas: Biology, Chemistry or Earth Sciences.

In order to qualify for the 100 point (1 year) Master of Environment (Environmental Science) degree, applicants must have completed an Honours year, done equivalent independent environmental research equivalent to an Honours, either in the workplace or at another institution at postgraduate level, or have done two years full time environmental work experience. Exceptions and suitability of these entry requirements are subject to the discretion of the major coordinator and Office for Environmental Programs Selection Committee.